Packaging system



June 25, 1968 .1. s. STELZER PACKAGING SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 7, 1964 INVENTOR. 23

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June 25, 1968 J. 5. STE LZER PACKAGING SYSTEM '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May '7, 1964 Law June 25, 1968 J. s. STELZER PACKAGING SYSTEM 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed May 7, 1964 United States Patent 3,389,532 PACKAGING SYSTEM James S. Stelzer, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Peter Eckrich & Sons, Inc., a corporation of Indiana Filed May 7, 1964, Ser. No. 365,612 17 Claims. (Cl. 53-428) This invention relates to the packaging of articles and especially foodstuffs, and more particularly relates to a device for such packaging in which vacuum-sealed engelopes are folded for mounting on a rigid backing mem- In preparing vacuum packages of food products, it has been the practice to dispose the food products, e.g. a stack of sliced sandwich meat or the like, between opposing webs and bring the Webs together about the product while evacuating air from the envelope. An inert gas may be injected between the webs. The webs are sealed together about the product to form an envelope, and the product is thereby contained in the envelope under vacuum conditions or in the presence of the inert gas.

The envelope is often susceptible to damage by puncture or the like during handling. Also, the envelope is flexible and may become distorted during handling, presenting a package of poor appearance to the consumer. Therefore, it is desirable to apply a stiff protective or shielding member to the envelope or to apply a stiffening back board in order to decrease chances of destruction or distortion of the envelope or the packaged food product. The envelope and backing protective member may be present in a variety of forms, a very acceptable and advantageous structure being that described by me in US. Patent No. 3,342,320, entitled U-Board With Thermoformed Web issued September 19, 1967, or that described by me in US. Patent No. 3,215,333, entitled Packaging Member issued Nov. 2, 1965.

In forming the package described in the aforementioned application, it has been the practice to prepare the enveloped food product so that the opposing webs are joined to form an outward projecting flap or flange generally in the plane ofthe package bottom and to there after manually apply the envelope containing the packaged foodstutf to a backing member, preferably of the U-board type, after manually folding portions of the flaps or flanges beneath the envelope.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a new and useful device for preparing envelopes for mounting on; backing members.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and useful combination system for enveloping food products, preparing the envelope for mounting on a backing board, and mounting the envelope on the board, including apparatus for folding, and preferably deadfolding, a portion of the envelope during the preparation for mountmg.

It is a further object to provide a new and useful system for folding envelope edges, eg of a flange of flap portion of the enevelope, preparatory to mounting the envelope.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a folding device through which envelopes can be continuously fed to produce deadfolds in opposing portions of an envelope flap or flange, especially where the envelope is of the type having a peripheral flap or flange generally planar with the envelope bottom.

In one particular aspect, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and useful folding device usable in accordance with any one of the foregoing objects and which is capable of creating a downward and inward fold. In another particular aspect, it is an object to provide new and useful means for creasing folds in envelopes.

3,389,532 Patented June 25, 1968 And it is also an object of this invention to provide creased downward-inward deadfolds in envelope portions, and especially in flange portions of envelopes having peripheral flanges planar with the envelope bottom so that the folded flange portions are against the envelope bottom.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and useful conveyor system for feeding packages to a folding system, such as from an enveloping zone, in accordance with any of the foregoing objects; and it is further an object to provide for removal of empty packages during such feeding.

Yet another object is to provide 'a control responsive to a jam condition in folding system for stopping operation of the folding system.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a system, partially shown schematically, for processing meat products to form packaged meat products and employing a form of folding device in accordance herewith;

FIGURE 2. is a top view of the system of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of a portion of a folding device included in the system of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the portion of the folding device shown in FIGURE 3 with parts removed for clearer showing of certain elements of the folding zones in the folding device;

FIGURE 5 is an end view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a section taken 'along line 7-7 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a section taken along line 88 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 10 is a section taken along line 10--10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a package or envelope containing a meat product showing in phantom flange portions of the package before the folding operation and also showing in full lines the flanges as disposed after partial folding;

' FIGURE 12 is a package of FIGURE 11 with the flange portions completely folded and creased;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged plan view of the portion of the device shown in FIGURE 3 with parts broken away for clearer illustration of underlying parts;

FIGURE 14 is a section taken along line 1414 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a section taken along line 15-15 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged plan view of a conveyor system for conveying packages to the folding system, a portion of which conveyor system is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 17 is a side view of the conveyor system of FIGURE 16.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is considered to be an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

Turning now to the drawings and referring first especially to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is provided a system for packaging meat products and the like in accordance with one form of the present invention. Accordingly, a folding device, indicated generally at reference numeral 21, is provided for receiving packages or envelopes from a packaging or enveloping zone 22. The meat product is packaged within the envelope by disposing the meat product between two opposing webs of envelope forming material and sealing the webs peripherally While evacuating from between the webs to form a package such as illustrated in FIGURE 11, with peripheral flanges disposed as indicated in phantom at 23a. A complete description of the envelope containing the meat product and its formation to enclose the meat product in a vacuumtight envelope, is described by Stelzer in the above-identified US. Patent No. 3,342,320.

A transfer means in the form of a conveyor 24 is provided for transferring packages 23 from zone 22 to the folding device 21. At the discharge end of folding device 21, there is provided a second transfer means in the form of a conveyor 25 for receiving packages discharged from the folding device. Transfer conveyor 25 conveys the packages to a backing board application zone 26 which receives the packages from conveyor 25 and applies a backing board to the bottom surface of the package 23 after the package peripheral flange has been folded in folding device 21 to the position 23c as shown in FIGURE 12. Preferably, the backing board is of the U-board type, having end flanges or flaps for folding up around the nonfolded portions 23d (FIGURE 12) of the package flange, as well as the ends of folded portions 230, such as described by me in said patent.

Also, preferably the bottom web of the package 23 is of the deadfold type, including at least one layer of a deadfold material such as aluminum in its structure, such as described by me in the above-identified patents Nos. 3,342,320 and 3,215,333.

Folding device 21 includes a receiving station 27 at the inlet thereof and a discharge station 28 at the outlet thereof. Packages are received at station 27, travel through folding device 21 and are folded therein, and are discharged from folding device 21 at station 28. It will be noted especially with respect to FIGURE 2 that two side-by-side lines of folding equipment are provided in the folding device and the device has a double receiving station 27 and outlet station 28. Wherever elements are described in association with one of the two sideby-side lines, it is to be understood that similar elements are associated with the other line.

Conveyor 24 conveys the packages 23 in two lines sideby-side from zone 22, the packages 23 having been formed therein and deposited on conveyor 24 in two lines.

As the packages are conveyed through the folding device 21 from the receiving station 27, each package in each line is carried through a package straightening zone for placing the package in correct disposition for proper folding in subsequent folding zones. Each package is then conducted through a first folding zone for folding the package flange downward to position 23b of FIGURE 11 along two opposing generally parallel imaginary fold lines at opposite edges of the package. The package with the downward folded flange is then conveyod through a second folding zone for folding the downwardly extending flanges inward almost to the position shown in FIGURE 12 at 23c. A guide zone 34 is provided between folding zones 32 and 33 for maintaining proper package alignment during travel of the package between zones 32 and 33. From zone 33, the package is fed directly to a creasing zone 35 which creases the folded flange to a flat deadfold position as shown by folded flanges 3c in FIGURE 12. From creasing zone 35, each. package is conveyed through a transfer or conveyor zone 36 for guiding and conducting the packages with folded flanges to discharge station 28. Each line of folding equipment in folding device 21 includes two folding zones, a creasing zone, and the guioe conveyor zones thus far described and the two lines of folding equipment are intended for concurrent operation. A commonly driven conveyor system indicated generally by references numeral 37 (see FIGURE 2), pushes the packages through both lines during operation of the device.

Folding device 21 is supported by a frame including a pair of generally triangular frame members 41, each in turn mounted through leveling slot and bolt assemblies 40 to a pair of legs 42. Legs 42 are bolted to a floor or other supporting surface by bolts 43. Frames 41 are interconnected by cross frame members 44.

Referring now to FIGURES l3, 16 and 17, the drive for conveying packages or envelopes through the folding device 21 is provided from a sprocket 49 in conveyor system 24. The conveyor system 24 includes conveyor belts 47 as endless belts disposed about a spool 43 and pulleys 45. Pulleys 45 are mounted for rotation with a driven shaft 46, suitably supported at its ends by bearings. Sprocket 49 is driven by a chain drive system, which Will be more particularly described hereinbelow, from the shaft 46 so that chain drives the folding device in timed relation with the conveyor belts 47. Belts 47 are driven counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and sprocket 49 is also driven counterclockwise.

Drive chain 50 is provided between sprocket 49 and a sprocket 51 of the folding device for driving sprocket 51 from sprocket 49 in a counterclockwise direction. Sprocket 51 is secured to a shaft 52 which is rotatably mounted between two plates 53. One plate 53 is mounted to and supported by each of triangular frames 41.

Referring especially to FIGURES l, 3 and 5, a gear 54 is secured to shaft 52 for rotation therewith. A gear 55 is provided as the drive gear for conveyor system 37. Gear 55 is mounted on drive shaft 56 for rotation therewith. Shaft 56 is rotatably mounted through frame 53, by means of bushings 57. Bolts 58 secure bushings 57 to inward turned flanges 59 of frame members 53. Gear 55 is in mesh with gear 54 and is driven clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 3, by counterclockwise rotation of gear 54, shaft 52 and sprocket 51.

Referring especially to FIGURES l and 5, the driving sprockets 62 of conveyor system 37 are mounted on shaft 56 for rotation therewith. A conveyor chain 63 extends over each sprocket 62 in each of the side-by-side lines and the chains 63 are driven clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 1. Pusher members 64 are mounted along chain 63 at spaced intervals, each by means of a mounting member 65. Each pusher member 64 includes a leading concave surface 66 for engagement of a rounded surface on a package to be pushed. Of course, other configurations of surface 66 may be used for engaging, or receiving and pushing packages having other configurations. As seen in FIGURE 9, chain 63 is supported during its travel through the lower reach by means of laterally extending flanges 67 in the form of legs of mounting members 65. The flanges 67 ride in lateral support slots 68 provided in support rail 69 throughout the lower reach. Support rails 69 are supported by frame members 70 secured to cross braces 71 which are in turn secured to and supported by frame member 41 along the lower reach of the conveyor system 37 Chain 63 defines an endless conveyor chain having the spaced pusher member 64 carried thereby for pushing package members through the folding device. In the lower reach of chain 63, chain 63 extends from sprocket 62 to sprockets 74 through '78 and thence to sprocket 79. Chain 63 is in mesh with sprocket 62 and each of sprockets 74 through 79. Chain 63 extends in its upper reach from sprocket 79 over a plurality of cross frame members 44 between frame members 41 and extends back to sprocket 62 to complete the endless chain loop. Cross frame members 44 support strips of support material, e.g. plastic strips 81 (FIGURE 8) along the upper reaches of the two conveyor chains 63. During the upper reach travel of the chain 63, the chain 63 and flanges 67 ride on and are supported by strips 81. The conveyor system 37 defines, in effect, a pair of side-by-side overhead pusher systems for pushing packages from the receiving station 27 to the discharge station 28 (FIG- URE 1).

Referring to FIGURES 3 and 5, a pair of lateral guide members 84 are provided for each package processing line in the device. Lateral guides 84 extend from the pickup station at 27 through the first folding zone 32. Lateral guides 84 are provided with downwardly disposed camrning surfaces 84a and inwardly disposed camming surfaces 84b. Surfaces 84a are properly spaced and disposed to engage the top portions of the opposing lateral flanges of packages 23 pushed into the machine from station 27. The inwardly disposed camming surfaces 84b cam the package so as to center it during its travel between the pair of guide members 84 for proper positioning of the package 23 during its travel through straightening or positioning zone 31 for feeding to the subsequent first folding zone 32.

The guide members 84 are mounted by adjusting screw members 85 for adjusting their angular disposition as desired or needed. The adjusting screws 85 suspend the guide members 84 from a plate or bar member 86 which is in turn supported by and secured to the upper surface of a rail 69.

In straightening zone 31, the package is supported on a plurality of rubber rollers 87 secured to shafts 88 for rotation therewith. Shafts 88 are in turn r-otatably mounted by bearings in a bearing mounting block 89 for free and independent rotation of the shafts 88. Free rotation of the rollers 87 assists in orientation of the package as it travels between the pair of guides 84. Bearing block 89 is mounted to and supported by support plate 90 which is supported by cross frame 91. Cross frame 91 is in turn supported by suitable braces from frame 41.

Turning now especially to FIGURES 3, 4, 9 and 10, a pickup platform 94 is provided having fingers with beveled ends 95 projecting among the rollers 87, and ends 95 being beveled for camming each package onto platform 94 as the package moves from rollers 87 and from right to left as viewed in FIGURES 3, 4 and 10. At the time of pickup by the platform 94 the package has been adequately centered between guides 84. Platform 94 is supported by a central block 96 which is in turn secured to plate 90.

A pair of folding wheels 97 straddles platform 94 providing sufficient room between wheels 97 and platform 94 for passage of the flange of the package 23. Each pair of folding wheels 97 is mounted on a shaft 98 for rotation therewith. The wheels 97 are received at their lower reach in recesses 99 in the interior portion of guide member 84, permitting generally free rotation of wheels 97. Shaft 98 is rotatably supported by bearings 102 to an overhead bracket 103 which is inturn secured to a cross brace 104 secured to rail 69 for supporting the wheels 97 from rail 69.

In operation of the device as thus far described, the

conveyor belt chain 63 moves clockwise as viewed in FIGURES l, 3 and 10, with the lower reach travelling to the left. Conveyor belt 47 feeds packages to the pickup station 27. Spacers 64 engage the trailing ends of packages 23 at pickup station 27 and remove them from belt 47 onto rollers 87. Guide members 84 guide the packages to a central position during their movement and present little turning friction to the packages so that the pushers 64 maintain the packages generally straight for the first folding operation; in the folding zone 32.

Plate 94 is of a preselected width commensurate with the desired spacing of fold lines for folding of the package ilanges from position 23a to position 23b. As each package 23 is pushed from wheels 87 and cammed onto plate 94 by bevelled fingers 95, the flanges 23a have been cammed by surface 84a to a generally flat disposition and as the package 23 is pushed further, the leading edges of flanges 23a engage the bottom reaches of the opposing wheels 97 and are cammed or folded downward between wheels 97 and plate 94, as best seen in FIGURES 9 and 10. After the package 23 has been pushed completely beyond the wheels 97, assuming no further folding, the package would be configurated as shown in full lines in FIGURE 11.

The second folding zone 33 receives the package from the first folding zone and functions to fold the downwardly disposed flanges inward. Accordingly, the conveyor continues to push the package from plate 94 onto plate 107, of the same width as plate 94 and generally contiguous therewith. As the package is pushed along plate 107 from right to left as vie-Wed in FIGURE 4, the lateral parallel edges of plate 104 guide the package flanges in guide zone 34 to keep the package properly aligned. Upstanding guide sides 103 are also provided laterally of plate 107 to help maintain the package properly aligned. The guide sides 108 have outwardly turned entry ends 109 to prevent tearing engagement with the package during its transportation through the folding zone 33.

As best seen in FIGURES 3, 4 and 14, each support plate 107 is in the form of a pair of angles, each having one leg 107a forming a support surface extending the supporting top surface of the central supporting block 96 in a different lateral direction. The other leg 10% of each angle is secured by a retaining bar 110 against block 96. Suitable screws, bolts or the like (not shown) are used to impale retaining bar 110 and the leg 10719 to tightly clamp the leg 1071: between the retaining bar 110 and block 96.

Spaced beneath the supporting surface leg 107a of each angle member 107 is a camming guide member 111 which, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 14, especially, is in the form of an angle and includes a downwardly projecting leg 111a extending at an angle inwardly from the inlet end 109 of the second folding zone. The other leg 11111 of member 111 is disposed below, spaced slightly from the parallel to the support legs of angles 107. As the packages are pushed through the second folding zone 33 from the entry end, a downwardly disposed leg 111a of an angle member 111 engages each of the downwardly disposed flaps of the package flanges and as the package moves through the zone 33, the legs 111a cam the package flanges inward until the package flanges rest between the generally horizontal legs 107a of angles 107 and 111b of 111 being wrapped around the edges of legs 107a, as shown in FIGURE 14. Support: columns 112 are provided for supporting camming members 111 and guides 108 in positions properly spaced from legs 107a to permit folding of the package flanges therebetween.

It will be noted in the second folding zone 33, with particular reference to FIGURE 4, that the angle members 107, 108 and 111 are of different length and the members 111 are at different angular dispositions in the side-by-side lines of folding equipment. Blocks 96 are also of different length as may be other components of the two lines. Such provision has been made merely for sake of convenience and compactness in design to permit close spacing of the two processing lines and downstream staggering of two creasing zones, which because of movements of various parts in the creasing zones, may interfere with each other if disposed sidc-by-side, as will be apparent from the description of the creasing zones below. In any event, the shortening or lengthening 0f the second folding zones does not materially affect their operation for their intended purposes.

In each creasing zone 35, the package is supported from beneath by two different types of support surfaces. The central portion of the package is supported by a platform 119 which is provided as one leg of an angle member having the other leg secured to the end block 96. Platform 119 spans a gap between the support surfaces of block 96 and angle legs 107 and an aligning trough 120. Projecting from below within the gap are a pair of upstanding rollers 115 spaced apart sufficient to provide tread surfaces for supporting folded edges of the package received from the second folding zone. As best see in FIGURE 14, rollers are mounted by bearings 116 to shaft 117 so that each of rollers 115 is independently rotatable.

Trough 120 includes a platen supporting surface and has upstanding sides 121 spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the package being processed. At the entry end of trough 120, the support surface is deviated downward at 122 beneath platform 119 for easier sliding of packages from platform 119 into trough 120. At the entry end of the upstanding sides 121, the sides are deviated outward at 123 to help direct the package into trough 12.0 without undue damage. While travelling through trough 128 the package remains aligned. Trough 12G maintains alignment of the package not only for transportation through a subsequent trough but also helps maintain the package aligned during the creasing operation in the creasin zone, which will be explained hereinbelow. Trough 120 is supported by a channel member 124 which is in turn secured to plate 90 (see also FIGURE 6).

In the creasing zone of each line, a pair of brackets 130 mounts a bridge 131 between opposing frame members of frame 41. Bridge 131 comprises two parallel plates 132 spanning the gap between the lateral frame members 41. Each pair of plates 132 supports a shaft 133 through and between plates 132.

A pair of cylinder block members 134, each having a cylinder cavity, are mounted for pivotal or hinged movement about a common axis by bifurcated ends 135 to each shaft 133. The pair of hinged blocks 134 mounted to each shaft 133 are normally disposed downwardly, inclined toward different sides of the processing line at approximately the same angle. The cylinder of each block 134 has a lining bushing 136 which receives a shaft 137 reciprocal in bushing 136. A wheel 138 is rotatably mounted on each shaft 137 through a bearing 139 at the lower end of each shaft 137. The shafts 137 and blocks 134 are on an incline such that treads of wheels 138 normally rest upon respective rollers 115.

As best seen in FIGURE 14, a pair of links 142 are pivotally mounted by a pin 143 to each shaft 137. The other ends of each pair of links 142 are pivotally mounted by a pin 144 to a bracket 145 which is in turn secured to brackets 130. As seen in FIGURE 15, each wheel 138 includes a bevelled cumming face 147 and a bevelled tread face 148 each terminating laterally in a pointed circular edge 149.

Wheels 138 are freely rotatable on shafts 137 and are disposed with tread face 148 downward and the camrning face 147 disposed inwardly and facing an opposing camming face 147 of another wheel 138. Shafts 137 are telescopically received in the hinged blocks 134 for telescopic movement and are pivotal with hinged blocks 134 about pin 133, for raising and lowering wheels 138 from rollers 115.

As a package is fed directly from the second folding zone to the creasing zone, the folded package flange engages bctween roller 115 and surface 148 of wheel 138 at each folded edge of the package. The center portion of the package is supported by bridge 119. Prior to entry of the package between roller 115 and wheels 138, wheels 138 are in a normal resting position pivoted inwardly slightly as shown for the left-hand line of FIGURE 14. As the folded package edges, including the fold lines, are pushed between the rollers and wheels 138, wheels 138 ride up on the leading edge of the package, with wheels 138 still disposed generally inwardly. The raising of wheels 133 pivots shaft 137 about point 133 to pivot wheels 1338 outward. Engagement of the rounded leading portion of the package sides, where the envelope is backed by a stack of round sliced meat, with camrning surface 147, will pivot the wheels freely further outward if the package sides engage the wheels. This prevents mashing 0 of the package contents by wheels 138. As wheel 138 and shaft 137 are pivoted outward, link 142 pivots upward about point 144 and, through its connection with shaft 137 by pin 1.43, urges shaft 137 telescopically into the cylinder of block 134 to provide a proper creasing clearance between roller 115 and wheel 138 by raising wheel 138 slightly. The package is now in the position shown in the right-hand line of FIGURE 14 with wheel 138 creasing the envelope fold line to provide creased flaps 230 as the package is pushed by pusher 64 through the creasing zone. The package 23 is received at the outlet end of the creasing zone in trough 120 and the pushers continue to push the package along trough 120.

Link 142 serves to give added lift of wheel 138 by telescoping the shaft 137 into block 134. Thus, as Wheel 138 rolls around a package 23, the Wheel 138 will ride down on top of the uncreased fold portion of package 23, rather than mashing the fold inward from the side of package 23. During the creasing, the weight of the Wheel is sufificicnt to provide pressure on the narrow tread 148 for creasing the material of the package, preferably to a deadfold configuration, but the resistance to lateral movement of wheels 138 by forces applied to surface 147 is insufficient to damage the contents of package 23 In all zones described hereinabove, the conveyor system 37 is disposed above the support surfaces the proper distance so that the depending pusher member 64 functions to push the package being folded through the zones over the support surfaces. The same general overhead rail 69 is used throughout the lower reach of the chain 63 except where interrupted for sprockets.

Beyond the aligning trough 120, the conveyor pushes the packages through a transport trough 152 which extends the length of the conveyor or transfer zone 36 for transporting the packages with folded envelopes to the backing board application zone 26. In the illustrated form, the transfer zone 36 functions also to elevate the packages above the folding level for introduction into a top feed backing board application zone as schematically illus trated by the top ported zone 26 having ports 26a (FIG- URE 2) for receiving packages.

As will be seen especially in FIGURES 3 and 6, the trough 120 terminates within transport trough 152., the two troughs overlapping with a slight step-down from trough 120 into trough 152. Trough 152 includes a support surface 153 and side Walls 154 upstanding along each side of the trough. The trough has an entry end 155 into which trough 120 is disposed and an exit end 156 at the discharge station 128. At the outlet end of each trough 152 the folded packages are discharged and fall upon the conveyor 25 for distribution to either of ports 26a of the backing board application zone 26. Both of the troughs 152, i.e. and both of the side-by-side lines, are supported by common frame members 157 which are suspended and supported by frame 41.

It will be noted that trough 152 extends generally horizontal for a distance and then deviates upward. At the upward deviation, sprockets 74 through 78 are provided for changing the direction of the conveyor chain in the conventional manner. Each of the sprockets '74 through 78 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 159 which is in turn mounted between a pair of plate members 158. Plate members 158 are secured by cross braces 169 to frame members 41. Beyond the sprockets 74 through 78, another length of rail 69 is used to support the conveyor chain. The length of rail 69 terminates short of sprocket 79, i.e. near the end of the lower reach of the conveyor chain. As described above, the upper reach of the conveyor chain is supported by strips 81 during its return for additional pickup of packages for conveyance through the folding device, in continuing endless conveyor operation.

In the conveyor system 24, as described above, the Eonveyor belts 47, which support the packages 23 during their travel over the length of the conveyor system, are

supported at one end of the conveyor by spool 48 and are supported and driven from the other end of the conveyor by pulleys 45. Turning now more particularly to FIGURES 16 and 17, the conveyor system includes a frame 167 mounted to the frame 163 of packaging zone 22. Shaft 46 and spool 48 are rotatably mounted at each end and supported by the frame 167. A sprocket 169 is secured to shaft 46 for driving shaft 46 by a chain 170 from a sprocket such as shown at 172, mounted on a timing drive shaft 171. Shaft 46 is driven counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 17. The timing drive shaft 171 may be the timing shaft in the enveloping zone 22 for driving components therein in timed relation with the conveyor system 24. The shaft 171 is schematically shown as being driven by a motor 173 through suitable drive means 174.

Another sprocket 177 is mounted on shaft 46 for rotation therewith and for driving chain 178 cxtcnding from sprocket 177 to sprocket !17-9 on shaft 189, sprocket 181 on shaft 132 and idler sprocket 183 on shaft 184. Shaft 184 is mounted on a beam 187, which is in turn pivotally mounted on shaft 186, secured to frame 168. Beam 187 carries an adjustable stop v188 at its lower end for stopping pivotal movement of beam 137 about shaft 18-6 in a. counterclockwise direction, stop 188 abutting frame 163 in the full counterclockwise position of beam 187. A spring 18 9, biasing against suitable framework, is provided for normally urging beam 187 counterclockwise to its position with stop 18 3 abutting frame of 22. A second adjustable stop 1% is also provided, secured to suitable framework, for stopping the clockwise pivoting of beam 187 about shaft 136-. A limiting switch 19'1 is mounted with its switch plunger 192 engaging beam 187 so that movement of beam 18-7 to its full counterclockwise position closes switch 191, while movement of beam 187 to its full clockwise position opens switch 191.

Sprocket 4 9, for driving chain '50 to drive the folding system, as described hcreinabove, is also mounted on shaft 182 for rotation therewith. During normal driving of chain 178 and shaft 182, the beam 137 is held by spring 189 in counterclockwise position. Upon occurrence of a jam condition in the folding device, additional load is placed on chain 50, shaft 182 and chain 178, causing chain 178 to move idler pulley 183 and beam 187 clockwise about shaft .186, overcoming the urging of spring 189, and as beam 187 moves to its full clockwise position abutting stop 190, switch 191 is opened. Switch 191 is connected by suitable lead lines between motor 173 and a power source 194 for motor 173. When switch 191 is opened, motor :173 is de-energized, stopping the conveyor system 24 and the folding device 21, as well as components of the enveloping zone 22 which may be driven from the timing shaft 171. After removal of the jamming package, motor 173 is i e-energized with switch 191 closed.

Conveyor system 24 is also provided with means for removing empty packages from the conveyor belts 47. Accordingly, as packages are moved by conveyor belts 4'7 from right to left, as viewed in FIGURES 16 and 17, they pass through the empty package removal zone indicated generally at reference numeral 196. A normally off air valve 128 is mounted in zone 1% by suitable brackets and includes an actuating arm 199 which is depressed to open the valve. Air valve 198- is supplied by a compressed air line 200 with compressed air from compressed air supply 201. A compressed air line 202 connects the outlet of valve 198 with a pair tubes 293 disposed along the path of travel of packages and at the centrally disposed edges of the two lines of packages carried by belts 47. A cam 197 is mounted for rotation with shaft 192 in timed relation with the packages carried by belts 47. Cam 197 has one A lobe for depressing arm 1% each time earn 197 is rotated through one revolution. The driving of cam 197 and the spacing of packages on belts 47 are timed so that each time a package has its edges disposed over ports 204, the lobe of cam 197 depresses arm 199 to open valve 198 and permit air flow from ports 204. Thus, a blast of air is provided from ports 204 each time a package is disposed thereover and the air is of sufficient strength to blow an empty package from belts 47 but insufficient to blow a full package therefrom. A deflector 2% is mounted above the ports 204 for deflecting packages outward as the air blast lifts the inner edges: of the package, resulting in blowing or sliding of the package from the lateral edge of the conveyor.

The packaging zone 22 includes a package pick-off system for delivering packages from molds, such as shown at 207, to the conveyor belts 47. Two generally parallel lines of molds are indexed to package receiving stations above a pair of suction cup type package pick-off devices as illustrated generally in FIGURE 17. In operation of the package pick-off system, pick-off devices 208 are reciprocated between a raised position at the package receiving station, and a lowered position below the upper reach of belts 47. The package pick-off devices are suitably timed and driven to reciprocate one time for each rotation of shaft 182; each device engages a package from a mold 207, removes the package from the mold and deposits the package on belts -47 during each reciprocation.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides new and useful packaging apparatus which is particularly useful in preparing: an envelope or package containing an enveloped food product for application of a backing board thereto. There is also provided a new and useful folding device including folding and creasing zones which may be advantageously used to produce a deadfold crease in a package flange, if desired. The folding device may be used in a separate operation or may be used in line with an enveloping zone where means are provided for transferring packaged or enveloped foodstuffs from the enveloping zone to the folding device. The folding device may also be used in combination with a backing board application zone with suitable provision as exemplified hcreinabove for distribution of the folded packages to such zone.

I claim:

-1. A packaging apparatus for preparing an envelope containing an enveloped food product for application of a backing board wherein the envelope has a generally flat bottom surface and has a peripheral flange including the peripheral portion of the envelope bottom surface comprising a receiving station for receiving and supporting the envelope and article contained therein, a foldin station spaced from said receiving station, means at the folding station for folding the opposing portions of the envelope flange beneath the envelope and against the exterior bottom surface of the envelope and for creasing the folded flange in folded dispogition with sufficient force to create a deadfold, alignment means between said receiving station and said folding station for aligning envelopes prior to passage through said folding means, first support slide means between said receiving station and folding station for supporting envelopes passing therebetween, a discharge station for discharging envelopes from the apparatus, second support slide and guide means between said folding station and said discharge station for supporting and guiding envelopes passing therebetween, and conveyor means overhead of said support slide means and including an endless belt having a plurality of spaced depending pusher members for continuously pushing a series of envelopes from said receiving station over said first support slide means, through said alignment means, through said folding means, onto and over said second support slide means and through said discharge station, said flange being in deadfold condition as the envelope is discharged through said discharge station.

2. In a packaging apparatus including means for sealing an article to be packaged between two opposing webs and means sealing the webs together peripherally of the article to envelope the food product between the webs while evacuating between the webs, in combination therewith, a folding station, a creasing station, means at the folding station for folding opposing heat-sealed edges of the wobs as flaps beneath the food product and against the exterior surface of the envelope, means at the creasing station for creasing the folded flaps in their folded disposition and means for conveying and directing the envelope from the sealing means through the folding and creasing stations and for conveying and directing the resulting package with the flaps folded against the bottom exterior surface thereof to a backing board assembly zone for adhesively securing said bottom surface and folded flaps to a backing U-board and for folding extending portions of the backing U-board to enclose nonfolded edges of said envelope and for adhesively securing the folded extending portions of the backing U-board to the top face of the enveolpe.

3. A device for folding opposing envelope edges beneath the envelope along desired fold lines, which device comprises means defining a folded zone, means defining a creasing zone, conveyor means for conveying an envelope through said folding and creasing zones, first supporting means in said folding zone of a width for supporting only the portion of the envelope between the desired fold lines, first folding means cooperating with said first supporting means for folding portions of the envelope extending laterally beyond said first supporting means as flaps, second supporting means in the form of a plate member having a width generally the same as the width of said first supporting member, second folding means cooperating with said second supporting means for folding said fiaps beneath said plate number with the envelope disposed on said plate member, third supporting means for supporting the envelope with the flaps folded beneath the envelope against the bottom of the envelope, means cooperating with said third supporting means for creasing the resulting folds of the flaps along at least a portion of the fold lines, and means for driving the envelope over said first, second and third supporting surfaces sequentially, said first and second folding means and said creasing means each being operable responsive to passage of an envelope over the respective cooperating supporting surface.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said first supporting means comprises means defining a supporting surface having lateral parallel straight edges spaced from each other the distance of spacing between desired fold lines, and said first folding means comprising a pair of upstanding wheel members, means mounting each of said wheel members for rotation about a transverse axis in a disposition with the axis above said supporting surface and with each of the wheels extending below a separate lateral edge of said supporting surface, said wheels each having a generally flat circular surface facing the respective edge of said supoprting surface and in close association therewith.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said second supporting means comprises means defining a thin plate having an entry end, an exit end, and parallel straight lateral edges extending from entry and exit ends and spaced from each other the distance of spacing of the desired fold lines, and said second folding means comprising means defining a pair of generally straight cam surfaces below said thin plate and extending at angles relative to said lateral edges from beyond said lateral edges at the entry end of said plate and inwardly therefrom toward the exit end of said plate and spaced sufficiently from the bottom of said plate to permit camming of downwardly disposed envelope edge flaps between the bottom of said supporting plate and said camming surfaces for folding such downwardly disposed flaps around said plate along the desired fold lines responsive to conveying of said envelope over said supporting surface with said flaps engaging between said lateral edges and said camming member from the entry end of said supporting plate to the exit plate thereof.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said third supporting means comprises a central support structure having a supporting surface for supporting a central portion of the envelope from the bottom thereof, a pair of urright generally parallel support wheels having cylindrical edge tread surfaces, means supporting said wheels from said central supporting member for independent rotation about a common axis, said wheels being of a diameter continuously providing the tread surfaces thereof at the general level of said central supporting surface, said wheels being spaced from each other suificient to provide support of the envelope by the tread surfaces thereof along the desired space fold lines of the envelope, and said creasing means comprises a pair of creasing wheels each rotatably mounted on a shaft, separate cylinder means telescopically receiving each shaft, separate means mounting each separate cylinder means for independent pivotal movement about an axis generally transverse to the axis of creasing wheel rotatioin and generally parallel to said central supporting surface, said creasing wheels being disposed above said support wheels and including tread edge surfaces in edge-to-edge contact with the tread edge surfaces of respective ones of said support wheels at the general level of said central supporting surface, and means responsive to passage of an envelope edge between each of the supporting wheels and the creasing wheel normally in contact therewith for telescopically moving said axle Within the cylinder means to adjust the lateral disposition of the creasing wheel relative to the envelope for bringing the creasing wheel to position for bearing against the envelope edge along at least a portion of the desired spaced fold lines responsive to urging of the creasing wheel toward the envelope edge by the envelope.

7. Apparatus for creasing folds or flaps folded beneath a package including a food product within the package, the folds to be creased having been formed from folding peripheral package flange portions along generally parallel fold lines as flaps against the bottom of the package, said flange portions prior to folding extending laterally of the package in a plane with the package bottom, said package presenting a leading convex camming surface curving laterally toward each of said fold lines, which apparatus comprises a pair of support wheels mounted for rotation and presenting parallel Wheel edge supporting surfaces for supporting the flaps along the parallel folds thereof, a pair of creasing wheels, each creasing wheel having a tread for creasing a respective one of the folds, and means mounting each said creasing wheel for rotary and generally axial movement, said mounting means including a pivotal joint axially of the creasing Wheel for pivoting the creasing wheel against and away from the supporting surface permitting each creasing wheel to ride from a normal position resting on said surface onto the package, and surface means for engaging the package and directing said mounting means for axial and pivotal movement of each creasing wheel responsive to the leading camming surface presented by the package to direct each creasing wheel to a position tracking over at least a portion of the respective fold whereby such portion of each fold is creased, each creasing wheel being of sufficient tracking weight to crease the fold.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the mounting means mounting each creasing wheel comprises a shaft mounting the creasing wheel for rotation thereabout, a cylinder receiving the shaft for reciprocal movement, said joint means mounting said cylinder in said mounting means for pivotal movement of the creasing wheel toward and away from engagement with a respective one of the support wheels, the axes of rotation of the creasing wheels being angular relative to the supporting surfaces of said support wheels and extending on an upward incline between said creasing wheels, the tracking tread of each creasing wheel comprising a chamfered surface at an angle relative to the Wheel edge sufficient to dispose said tracking tread generally parallel to the axis of its cooperating support wheel.

9. A device for folding opposing envelope edges beneath the envelope to form opposing folds, which device comprises means defining a folding zone, means defining a creasing zone, conveyor means for conveying an envelope through said folding and creasing zones, first supporting means in said folding zone having an upwardly disposed platen surface and lateral edges spaced to define a width of said platen surface for supporting only the portion of the envelope between the desired opposing folds to be formed, wheel means cooperating with the lateral edges of said platen surface for folding portions of the envelope extending beyond said lateral edges as flaps, second supporting means in the form of a plate member having a width generally the same as the width of said first supporting member, camming surfaces for folding said flaps beneath said plate member while said envelope is conveyed on said plate member, third supporting means for supporting the envelope with the flaps between the bottom surface of the envelope and said third supporting member, said third supporting means including a pair of supporting wheels mounted upright for independent rotation about the same general axis and in disposition spaced from each other for supporting the opposing folded flaps between said wheels and the bottom surface of the envelope, a pair of spaced creasing wheels resiliently mounted above said supporting wheels and adapted to engage the top surface of the envelope along at least a portion of the flaps folds for bearing against and creasing the folds between said creasing wheels and bearing wheels, while the envelope fiaps are supported by said supporting wheels, and means for driving the envelope over said first, second and third supporting surfaces sequentially, said first and second folding means and said creasing means each being operable responsive to passage of an envelope over the respective cooperating supporting surface.

10. A packaging apparatus comprising a receiving station for receiving and supporting an enveloped food product wherein the envelope has a generally fiat bottom surface and a peripheral flange including the peripheral portion of the bottom surface, a folding station spaced from said receiving station, means at the folding station for folding opposing portions of the envelope flange beneath the envelope and against the exterior bottom surface of the envelope, a creasing station for receiving envelopes directly from said folding means, creasing means at said creasing station for creasing the folded flange in folded disposition with sufficient force to create a deadfold, alignment means between said receiving station and said folding station for aligning envelopes prior to passage through said folding means, first support means between said receiving and folding stations for supporting envelopes passing therebetween, second support means between said folding station and discharge station for supporting envelopes passing therebetween, conveyor means overhead of said support means and including an endless belt having a plurality of spaced depending pushers for continuously pushing a series of envelopes from said receiving station upon said first support means through said alignment means, through said folding means, through said creasing means, onto and over said second support means and through said discharge station, said pushers having leading faces configurated to receive and guide the envelope by engagement with a portion of the envelope backed by the enveloped food product and guide means associated with both said first and second support means for continuously guiding the envelope during its passage from said receiving station to said discharge station.

11. The apparatus of claim wherein each depending pusher includes a concave leading surface configurated to receive an enveloped cylindrical stack of slices of round sandwich meat, cheese or the like.

12. A packaging apparatus comprising a folding zone, means for conveying an envelope containing an article therein from an enveloping zone to said folding zone, means in the folding zone for folding opposing edge portions of the envelope as flaps against the exterior surface of the envelope for readying the envelope for mounting on a backing board while leaving the other opposed edge portion of the envelope unfolded, a backing board assembly system for adhesively securing the exterior surface and folded flaps of the envelope to a backing U- baord and for folding and securing flap portions of the U-board to enclose the unfolded edge portions of the envelope, and means for conveying the envelope with the envelope flaps folded against said exterior surface thereof from said folding zone to said backing board assembly system.

13. A packaging apparatus for packaging an article in a display package which comprises an enveloping zone including means for packaging the article between two opposing webs of an envelope-forming material and means for sealing the webs peripherally of the article, a backing board assembly zone including a system for securing a stifif backing board to a surface of the envelpoed article, conveyor means for conveying the enveloped article from the enveloping zone to the backing board assembly zone and including a folding zone along said conveyor means, means in the folding zone for folding opposing edges of the envelope as flaps against said surface of the envelope, said conveyor means conveying the envelope with folded flaps to said backing board assembly zone for application of the backing board to said surface and to the folded flaps to secure and retain the flaps between the envelope and backing board.

14. A packaging apparatus comprising enveloping means including means for sealing an article to be packaged between two opposing webs and means sealing the webs together peripherally of the article to envelope the article between the webs while evacuating between the webs to form outwardly extending flange portions of the envelope in the area sealed, a backing board assembly zone including means for adhesively securing the bottom surface of said envelope to a backing U-board and for folding extending flap portions of the backing U-board to enclose the outwardly extending flange portions of the envelope and for adhesively securing the extending portions of the backing U-board to the top face of the envelope flange portion, and means for conveying and directing the envelope from the sealing means to said backing board assembly zone.

15. Apparatus for creasing a fold of a lateral flap folded against the exterior surface of a flexible package containing 21 generally cylindrical food product within the package presenting a curved sidewall surface interiorly of the flap fold line and wherein the flap fold is a straight fold formed from folding a laterally extending flange of the package, which apparatus comprises means defining a supporting surface for said fold, wheel means having a tread for tracking and creasing the fold between the wheel and supporting surface and having a facing surface for guiding on the curved side-wall surface of the package, and means mounting the wheel means for riding onto the package and for camming of the tread away from the cylindrical food product by engagement of said facing surface with the side-wall surface of the package.

16. Apparatus for creasing a fold of a flap folded beneath the package containing a food product which comprises a support surface for supporting the package fold, means for moving the package along the support surface, wheel means having a tread for riding on the fold, shaft means mounting said wheel means for rotation about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the food product on said support surface, and means mounting said shaft for pivotal movement on a second axis parallel 15 to the direction of travel of the package and for generally axial movement of the shaft to move said wheel toward and away from the lateral edges of the package as it travels along the support surface with the tread riding on the fold.

17. In an apparatus as defined in claim 12, air-jet means associated with said first mentioned conveyor directed at the bottom of said packages for blowing air at a sufiicient force to remove empty packages from the conveyor before reaching said folding means and of insufiicient force to remove filled packages, and means for momentarily actuating said air-jet means at spaced intervals in timed relation with passage of packages by said first conveyor means thereby providing an air blast as each package 1 6 ages, thereby preventing jamming of said folding means by empty packages.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,341,832 6/1920 Avery et al. 27093 X 2,624,994 1/1953 Crescenzo 53226 X 2,889,675 6/1959 Anderson 53-220 2,913,862 11/1959 Sabee 53-53 2,996,855 8/1961 Bergerson et al 5353 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Examiner.

arrives at said air-jet means to remove any empty pack- 15 L. S. BOUCHARD, Assis ant Examiner. 

3. A DEVICE FOR FOLDING OPPOSING ENVELOPE EDGES BENEATH THE ENVELOPE ALONG DESIRED FOLD LINES, WHICH DEVICE COMPRISES MEANS DEFINING A FOLDED ZONE, MEANS DEFINING A CREASING ZONE, CONVEYOR MEANS FOR CONVEYING AN ENVELOPE THROUGH SAID FOLDING AND CREASING ZONES, FIRST SUPPORTING MEANS IN SAID FOLDING ZONE OF A WIDTH FOR SUPPORTING ONLY THE PORTION OF THE ENVELOPE BETWEEN THE DESIRED FOLD LINES, FIRST FOLDING MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID FIRST SUPPORTING MEANS FOR FOLDING PORTIONS OF THE ENVELOPE EXTENDING LATERALLY BEYOND SAID FIRST SUPPORTING MEANS AS FLAPS, SECOND SUPPORTING MEANS IN THE FORM OF A PLATE MEMBER HAVING A WIDTH GENERALLY THE SAME AS THE WIDTH OF SAID FIRST SUPPORTING MEMBER, SECOND FOLDING MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID SECOND SUPPORTING MEANS FOR FOLDING SAID FLAPS BENEATH SAID PLATE NUMBER WITH THE ENVELOPE DISPOSED ON SAID PLATE MEMBER, THIRD SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE ENVELOPE WITH THE FLAPS FOLDED BENEATH THE ENVELOPE AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE ENVELOPE, MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID THIRD SUPPORTING MEANS FOR CREASING THE RESULTING FOLDS OF THE FLAPS ALONG 